Many parents focus so much on picking out the perfect papers and embellishments for their baby scrapbook layouts that they overlook the importance of choosing a scrapbook album. While decorative layouts are certainly fun to look at, your scrapbook album is what keeps your pages safe so they can be enjoyed for many years to come.
Types of Scrapbook Albums
Post-bound scrapbook albums are the most common type of album. You can expand the album by adding post extenders and additional page protectors. When the album is assembled, the pages will be flush with each other. For this reason, post-bound albums are the preferred option when you want to make double page spreads for your baby scrapbook album.
Three-ring scrapbook albums are essentially fancier versions of the binders you probably used to carry your homework in as a high school student. They can accommodate a large number of baby scrapbook pages and it is easy to insert or rearrange layouts with this type of album. Unfortunately, this type of book is not recommended for making double page spreads as your layouts will have a gap between the pages.
Strap-hinge scrapbook albums are bound using a plastic strap that connects the pages with the cover. The pages are flush with each other when the album is assembled. Strap-hinge scrapbook albums offer excellent archival protection for your layouts, since dust can't settle into the side loading page protectors. However, it can be tricky to add pages to this type of album because you'll need to undo the entire binding to insert any additional layouts.
Post-bound, three-ring, and strap-hinge scrapbook albums are available in a wide range of sizes, as well as cover options. You can find traditional 12x12 scrapbook albums and 8 ½ x 11 albums, as well as smaller mini albums. There are scrapbook albums with plain covers, as well as albums covers that feature cartoon characters or popular baby nursery themes.
How to Buy Baby Scrapbook Albums
Scrapbook albums range in price from less than $20 to over $100, depending upon the manufacturer and the type of material that is used to create the album's cover. Even if you're on a tight budget, buy the highest quality scrapbook album you can afford. When you're looking for a baby keepsake album, think about if it will hold up long enough for your son to someday show it to his own children. Albums with thick plastic page protectors, reinforced bindings, and padded covers give you a durable home for your creations. Choose an album that looks like something you'll be proud to display in your home for many years to come.
While your albums don't necessarily need to match perfectly, many people do like to purchase scrapbook albums that will coordinate well when lined up together on a bookshelf. If this is something that is important to you, consider purchasing multiple albums at one time. Scrapbook albums, like patterned papers and embellishments, are discontinued on a fairly regular basis. If you find a line of albums you like, there's no guarantee they will still be available in another year or two.